All weather baseball-style hat

ABSTRACT

This invention is a baseball-style hat, containing a crown opening for the head of the wearer, including a top and bottom, front and back, and a peripheral wall having an annular configuration. The outer shell of the hat is constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material. Additionally, there are two vertical pockets facing downwards, one on either side of the exterior of the hat, which oppose each other. Inside each of these pockets are chin straps which may vary in size. Located at the ends of each of the chin straps are connectors. Located on the front exterior portion of the crown is a combination logo base and lower hatch patch which utilizes connectors to secure eye glasses including sunglasses, to the hat. Inside the interior portion of the hat there is a liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester. The liner is constructed in an annular configuration and is permanently sewn or attached by intermittently spaced connectors to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat.

This application is based on: Provisional Application No. 60/794,076filed on Apr. 24, 2006 and Non Provisional application Ser. No.11/725,390 filed on Mar. 17, 2007

DESCRIPTION

A headwear piece that gives protection from various weather conditions.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to headwear, and, more specifically, to aheadwear piece having a crown made of waterproof or water resistantnylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material with two side pocketscontaining chin straps, a front combination base logo and lower hatchpatch to secure eye or sunglasses, and a fixed or removable liner, whichmay be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester.

2. Background Art

Typically, headwear pieces have a crown with a peripheral wallconfigured to accept the head of the wearer.

Baseball-style hats are commonly worn on a casual basis and when weatherconditions, such as extremely sunny days dictate their use.

When wearing a traditional baseball-style hat, wearers are not very wellprotected from elements such as wind, rain, or cold temperatures. Thisfact lends itself to the inadequacies of being better protected fromadverse weather conditions that is both needed and desired at times.

Additionally, there are many instances when in extremely windyconditions a wearer might refrain from wearing his or her hat for fearof having it blown off their head. Thus, exposing the head and face ofthe wearer to the elements and potentially losing their property at thesame time.

Also, there are many times when eye glasses or sunglasses are needed andused in conjunction with a baseball-style hat. There are also times wheneye or sunglasses must be removed to see clearly; such as when in lowlit areas or indoors. In the absence of an eye or sunglass container,the wearer is often required to physically hold his or her eye orsunglasses, hang them on their clothing or set them on a flat surfacewhere they may be forgotten.

And there are also many times when a wearer needs extra protection fromextremely cold environments. Currently, there are few if anybaseball-style hats which offer high levels of protection from coldenvironments. Nor, are there many baseball-style hats that offer theflexibility of an interior liner for protection against coldtemperatures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is specifically directed to overcoming the abovelisted problems in several ways.

This invention, a baseball-style hat, has a crown defining an opening toaccept the head of a wearer. The crown has a top and bottom, front andback, and an exterior peripheral wall having an annular configurationbeing constructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester,cotton, wool, or other material.

The exterior surface of the crown is constructed of waterproof or waterresistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material to protectthe wearer from wind, rain, and/or the sun.

The exterior crown has two triangular pockets on either side of the hat,each containing chin straps which are connected around the jaw of theuser during windy or other unstable conditions such as sporting eventsor other leisure activities (such as sailing).

The exterior crown may also incorporate a combination front fabric logobase and lower hatch patch which may vary in size, but is generally 2inches in width and 3 inches in height. The lower hatch is used tosecure eye glasses or sunglasses when they are not in use. The upperportion of the patch is used for placement of a logo.

The interior liner is sewn or attached by intermittently spacedconnectors to the outer portion of the sweat band of the hat.

The connectors are positioned around the lower interior rim of the linerand outer surface of the sweat band which faces the shell of the hat.The spacing of the connectors may vary, as well as, their overall size.They may be any size or one piece.

One version of the baseball-style hat includes a rear positioned upsidedown U-shape opening which contains an adjustable strap that allows thewearer to change or alter the overall size of the hat according to thesize of their head.

Another version of the baseball-style hat incorporates an elastic bandaround the rear ⅓. This portion is constructed of a flexible elasticmaterial to allow for various head sizes. The forward ⅔ is constructedof the same material as the outer shell of the hat.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 is a side elevation view of a baseball-style hat constructed ofwaterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or othermaterial displaying a rear upside down U-Shaped opening 17.

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with one side pocket 28 open displaying its chin strap 24 hangingdownwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with a side pocket 28 closed displaying its chin strap 24 hangingdownwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of a modified form of baseball-style hatwith a portion of the sweat band 49 bent forward exposing parts of twoconnectors 47, located on the outer portion of the sweat band 49, usedthe secure the inner liner. This view also illustrates the sideventilation portal 59 on the inner right portion of the hats dome. Theinner liner is not present in this picture.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with a side pocket 28 open displaying its chin strap 24 hangingdownwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat. The hat also displays anelastic rear band 51 which automatically adjusts to various head sizes.

FIG. 6 is a side elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with a side pocket 28 closed displaying its chin strap 24 hangingdownwardly from the bottom edge 14 of the hat. The hat also displays anelastic rear band 51 which automatically adjusts to various head sizes.

FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37closed.

FIG. 8 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37 openexposing its connectors 40.

FIG. 9 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with the front combination logo base and lower hatch patch 37 closedsecuring eye glasses 60 to the hat.

FIG. 10 is a front elevation view of a modified form of a baseball-stylehat with eye glasses 60 secured to the hat by use of the nylon tabs 29located on each of the side pockets.

FIG. 11 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hatwithout an inner liner attached to the cap. This model incorporates theside ventilation ports 59 with the side pockets.

FIG. 12 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hatexhibiting an inner liner 43 fully attached.

FIG. 13 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hatexhibiting an inner liner 43 partially attached to the hat by use ofconnectors 47.

FIG. 14 is an interior view of a modified form of a baseball-style hatexhibiting an inner liner 43 partially attached to the hat displayingfour of six sets of connectors 47.

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of a modified form of an inner liner 43fully detached from the baseball-style hat.

FIG. 16 is an interior view of a modified form of a inner liner 43 fullydetached from the baseball-style hat. This view shows six connectors 47near lower interior the base.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

In FIG. 1, a baseball-style hat is displayed and indicated with number5. It has a crown defined by a plurality of panels sewn edge to edge inthe front and rear, and in an overlapping fashion on the sides to definean inverted cup-shaped configuration with a bottom edge 14 defining aperipheral opening to accommodate the wearer's head 15. A bill 16projects forwardly and downwardly from the bottom edge of the crown toshield the wearer's face from the sun, wind, and rain.

In another version, FIG. 4, a baseball-style hat is displayed andindicated with number 6. It has a crown defined by a plurality of panelssewn edge to edge to define an inverted cup-shape configuration with abottom edge 14 defining a peripheral opening to accommodate the wearer'shead. A bill 16 projects forwardly and downwardly from the bottom edgeof the crown to shield the wearer's face from the sun, wind, and rain.

In one version, FIGS. 1-3 and 12, an inverted U-shaped cutout 17 isdefined at the rear of the crown to permit adjustment of the effectivediameter of the crown opening. An adjustable strap 18 is provided at thebottom of the cutout 17. As discussed in more specifics below, thelength of the strap 18 can be altered to vary the spacing betweenopposing, lateral edges 19 (one shown) to thereby selectively increaseor decrease the overall diameter of the crown.

In another version a rear one third portion of the hat is made of anelastic material 51 which stretches to accommodate various head sizes.The crown of the hat is completely enclosed over the wearer's headwithout the need of a cut-out of any kind.

The baseball-style hat 5 is a modified form which is used for casualwear and for protection from extreme weather conditions such as rain,wind, and snow. Wearer's of baseball-style hats in these conditions haverelatively little protection other than from the sun. Protection fromelements such as rain, wind, and snow is exhibited by this invention,utilizing a waterproof or water resistant outer shell.

Wind protection is further exhibited in this invention by use of twochin straps 24 (one on each side of the hat) which are secured to thebottom of the jaw by two buckles 25 (one each attached to the lowerportion of the chin straps 24). One buckle 25 has a male fitting 26 andthe other a female fitting 27. The buckles are secured by placing themale fitting 26 into the female fitting 27 under the jaw of the wearer.

The chin straps 24 are stored in side pockets 28 (opposite each other)when not in use. When in use, the side pockets 28 (one displayed) openby use of a tab 29, which is sewn under a reinforcing strip 33 to thelower exterior center portion of the pocket. By pulling on the tab 29,the pocket is released or disconnected temporarily from the base of theconnectors 31. Once each of the side pockets 28 is opened, access to thechin straps 24 is achieved and the chin straps 24 may be released fromstowage and lowered under the jaw of the wearer. A reinforcing strip 33increases the structural integrity of the lower portion of the sidepockets 28. After lowering the chin straps 24, the side pockets areresecured by use of the connectors. The chin strap 24 on the malefitting 26 side has an adjustable buckle 24 to make it larger orsmaller.

In FIG. 7 the frontal exterior portion of the crown exhibits acombination front base logo and lower hatch patch 37 attachment. Itcontains a vertical tab 38 located on the bottom center portion. The tab38 is used to open the lower hatch in a vertical direction to thensecure eye or sunglasses to the hat when not in use. In FIG. 8 the lowerhatch is secured to the base of the logo/hatch patch 37 by use ofconnectors 40. The combination base logo and lower hatch patch 37 issecured to the frontal exterior portion of the crown. A center crownweather strip 50 is also displayed.

In FIG. 12, a modified form of a baseball-style hat interior reveals aninner liner 43. This is exhibited by a plurality of panels sewnedge-to-edge defining an inverted cup-shaped configuration.

FIG. 14 exhibits four sets of connectors 47 attached to the outerportion 48 of the sweat band and lower interior portion of the innerliner. The sweat band is folded under the interior liner 43 to securethe two pieces during cold weather conditions.

In FIG. 16, attached to the inner liner bottom interior edge are sixintermittently spaced connectors 47. The connectors 47 may be any lengthor one piece.

1. A baseball-style hat comprising: a crown providing an opening toaccept the head of the wearer, said crown containing both a top and abottom, a front and a back, and a peripheral wall having an annularconfiguration, said crown having an exposed outer surface and anenclosed inner surface; a bill extending angularly forward from thecrown; and the crown outer surface being substantially uninterrupted andconstructed of waterproof or water resistant nylon, polyester, cotton,wool or other material.
 2. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1wherein the exterior crown is sewn in segments in which some sectionsoverlap the other. The two frontal segments overlap the forward portionof the center segments and the two rear segments overlap the rearportion of the center segments.
 3. The baseball-style hat according toclaim 1 wherein an exterior center weather strip, made consistently ofthe same material as the exterior of the hat, is utilized and sewn alongthe centerline of the crown (front to back of the cap). The weatherstrip may, however, be of any suitable and/or effective material.
 4. Thebaseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein the exterior crowncontains two triangular vertical pockets with openings on the bottom ofeach. The pockets are located on either side of the hat. A. The exteriorcrown pocket openings are secured by use of connectors which arepositioned in the center of the opening to allow ventilation through thepockets to the center of the hat. B. The exterior crown pockets containchin straps which are attached to the outer shell, under the base of theside pocket connectors. C. The chin straps may be released by the userfrom the pockets at will or when needed. D. The chin straps utilizebuckles (one male and the other a female fitting) affixed or attached tothe ends of each and may be connected around the jaw of the user tosecure the hat to the head.
 5. The baseball-style hat according to claim1 wherein the exterior front portion of the crown has a combination logobase and lower hatch patch which secures eye glasses of all types,including sunglasses, to the cap by use of connectors.
 6. Thebaseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein there is an interiorliner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber and nylon or polyester,permanently affixed or attached by connectors. A. The interior liner ispermanently sewn or attached by intermittently spaced connectors to theouter portion of the sweat band of the hat. B. The connectors around thelower inner portion of the removable liner are intermittently spaced.They may be any size or shape and spaced at any distance, or one piece.C. The removable liner is attached to the interior portion of the sweatband of the cap by intermittently spaced connectors located on the lowerinterior rim of the liner and outer portion of the sweat band of thecap.
 7. The baseball-style hat according to claim 1 wherein there is arear positioned upside down U-shape opening which contains an adjustablestrap that allows the wearer to change or alter the overall size of thehat according to the size of their head.
 8. The baseball-style hataccording to claim 1 wherein there is an elastic band around the rear ⅓.This elastic material is constructed of a flexible elastic material toallow for various head sizes. The forward ⅔ or other portion of the hatis constructed of the same material as the outer shell of the cap orother suitable material.
 9. A baseball-style hat comprising: a crownproviding an opening to accept the head of the wearer, said crowncontaining both a top and a bottom, a front and a back, and a peripheralwall having an annular configuration, said crown having an exposed outersurface and an enclosed inner surface; a bill extending angularlyforwardly from the crown; and the crown outer surface beingsubstantially uninterrupted and constructed of waterproof or waterresistant nylon, polyester, cotton, wool, or other material.
 10. Thebaseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein in this version theexterior crown is sewn edge to edge without overlapping.
 11. Thebaseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein the exterior crowncontains two triangular vertical pockets with openings on the bottom ofeach. The pockets are located on either side of the hat. A. The exteriorcrown pocket openings are secured by use of connectors which arepositioned in the center to allow for ventilation through the pocketsand into the center of the hat. B. The exterior crown pockets containchin straps which are attached to the outer shell of the hat under thebase of the connectors that secure the side pockets. The chin straps maybe any suitable length and width. C. The chin straps may be released bythe user from the pockets at will or when needed. D. The chin strapshave buckles (one male and one female fitting) affixed or attached tothe ends of each and may be connected around the jaw of the user tosecure the hat to the head.
 12. The baseball-style hat according toclaim 9 wherein the exterior front portion of the crown has acombination logo base and lower hatch patch which secures eye glasses ofall types, including sunglasses, to the hat by use of connectors. 13.The baseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein there is a fixed orremovable interior liner, which may be neoprene or synthetic rubber andnylon or polyester. A. The removable liner is attached to the outersweat band surface of the cap by intermittently spaced connectors. B.The connectors around the removable liner interior are intermittentlyspaced. They may be any size or shape and spaced at any distance or onepiece. C. The removable liner is attached to the outer portion of thesweat band of the hat by intermittently spaced connectors located on theinterior lower rim of the liner and outer sweat band of the hat.
 14. Thebaseball-style hat according to claim 9 wherein there is a rearpositioned upside down U-shape opening which contains an adjustablestrap that allows the wearer to change or alter the overall size of thehat according to the size of their head.
 15. The baseball-style hataccording to claim 9 wherein there is an elastic band around the rear ⅓.This elastic material is constructed of a flexible material to allow forvarious head sizes. The forward ⅔ or other portion of the hat opening isconstructed of the same material as the outer shell of the hat or othersuitable material.